FOR years, Bukit Rahman Putra residents in Sungai Buloh have been enduring a foul stench from a massive illegal waste disposal site.
But a recent Sept 6 fire at the dumpsite in Selangor sparked fears of exposure to even worse health hazards, prompting urgent calls for authorities to intervene.
The site on private land adjacent to a railway track, parallel to Jalan Matang Pagar, had remained obscured for decades behind a thick screen of planted trees.
That shield vanished when surrounding greenery was cleared for gardening, laying bare a sprawling mountain of refuse within sight of nearby homes.
“We do not know who cleared the trees, but now we can see the piled up rubbish from our guardhouse,” said Saujana Akasia resident Ooi See Eim.
“The fire on Sept 6 worsened the situation as thick, toxic fumes enveloped our neighbourhood.
“The blaze was huge and clearly visible from our homes.
“What we want now is for the authorities to shut down the site permanently,” she said.
Anisa Rakim, who operates a nursing home in Saujana Akasia, said the residents aged between 50 and 95 have been effectively trapped indoors to avoid more exposure to polluted air.
“We used to organise light outdoor activities in the porch, but we no longer dare bring them out due to the fumes and haze,” she said.
“Several of our residents have developed persistent cough and severe eye irritation from the poor air quality,” she added.
Saujana Akasia resident Tan Hock Seng said the situation had brought physical and financial hardship.
His chronic asthma flared up significantly after inhaling the thick smoke.
“I had to visit the doctor and spend more than RM1,000 on medication and treatments just to manage my condition after breathing in those toxic fumes,” Tan said.
Other residents fear the source of the environmental hazards could be worse than standard domestic waste.
WL Wong, a resident of nearby Taman Sri Putra and a former electronics factory technician, noted that the chemical odour hanging over the area pointed to industrial pollutants.
“Having worked in electronics manufacturing, the acrid smell convinced me that e-waste is being burned at the location,” he said.
Residents notice that the dumping takes place at night.
They have seen heavily loaded lorries entering via Jalan BRP 7 and going up a bumpy 1.5km muddy track running past factories, junkyards and scattered houses before reaching the secluded dumping ground.
“Lorries arrive under cover of darkness carrying full loads of bulk waste and drive deep into the vacant land to unload,” said one resident living along the access path, who requested anonymity.
Former Saujana Akasia Residents Association (SARA) president Ong Chau Oh said the problem was rooted in decades of inaction.
“When I moved into the neighbourhood in 2000, the smell was already present,” he recalled.
“The RA submitted multiple complaints to various authorities over the years, yet the dumping persisted.
“We feel especially sorry for our security guards at the entrance, who have no choice but to stand guard in that foul air every single day,” he said.
Extinguishing the Sept 6 fire required a major multi-agency operation.
The Sungai Buloh Fire and Rescue Station received an emergency call at 5.35am, dispatching a crew supported by a water tanker from the Bukit Jelutong Fire Station.
Firefighting efforts stretched over three days as the fire was deep-seated within tightly packed subterranean layers of rubbish.
Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) deployed excavators to churn through burning waste layers, allowing firefighters to douse smouldering hotspots.
According to the Sungai Buloh Parliamentary Constituency Service Centre, firefighters spent three days containing the blaze before handing site management to the MPS Quick Response Team (Pantas).
“We take any illegal dumping activities seriously as they not only affect the environment, but also pose safety and health risks to nearby residents.
“We will continue to monitor developments alongside MPS and relevant agencies to ensure appropriate follow-up action is taken,” it said in a statement to StarMetro.
Paya Jaras assemblyman Datuk Dr Ab Halim Tamuri escalated the matter to the state government, demanding a thorough investigation into the landowner and operators involved.
“If a breach of the law is proven, strict action must be taken to ensure such incidents do not recur and that the safety and well-being of residents are protected,” he said.
Ab Halim also wrote to MPS on Oct 2, highlighting widespread fly infestations at nearby housing estates, linked either to the dumpsite or adjacent agricultural and livestock operations.
He further flagged an uncovered valve chamber filled with stagnant water near the dumpsite that risked becoming a breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes.
In a statement to StarMetro, MPS confirmed that the illegal dumpsite was on privately owned land and acknowledged receiving 10 formal complaints from local residents associations regarding environmental pollution.
MPS had also issued 12 compounds and seized several lorries involved in illegal dumping and open burning in the area.
“To halt operations immediately, MPS workers will excavate and destroy the entrance route to block all heavy vehicle access.”
MPS added that legal action was being pursued under Section 80 of the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171) for nuisance abatement, alongside Bylaw 4 of the Rubbish Collection, Removal and Disposal By-Laws (MPS) 2007.
Convictions carry fines of up to RM2,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both, with additional daily fines of RM200 for continuing offences.
Residents want a complete environmental cleanup of the land to eliminate lingering toxins, vector breeding grounds and fire risks once and for all.
